That is, unless "the woman was holding a bicycle handlebar or the reins of a horse" - according to amendments made to the law in 1892 and 1909.

There had been repeated attempts to repeal the law over the years, and it was officially overturned on January 31 by Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, France's minister of women's rights.

It took so long to get rid of the law as it "wasn't a priority".

However, when a member of the conservative UMP party protested on the basis the law "could injure our modern sensibilities", action was finally taken.

"This ordinance is incompatible with the principles of equality between women and men, which are listed in the Constitution, and in France's European commitments," Ms Vallaud-Belkacem said when repealing the law.

"From that incompatibility follows the implicit abrogation of the ordinance."